The proportion of homeowners that expected declines in the value of their homes in the year ahead fell to 15 percent in January, the lowest level since early 2007. That is down from 16 percent in the fourth quarter, and sentiment has improved over the past year. In the first quarter of 2009, 26 percent expected their home value to decline. The mean anticipated annual gain over the next five years held steady at 2.7 percent in January. Given consumers’ long-term inflation expectations, a zero, inflation-adjusted gain was expected